The term "post-punk", like many terms with a similar prefix, is firmly planted in a time in history, and signifies an added precision and experimentation to a thrilling genre that has echoed forward in both style and attitude. The Jason Corbett-led outfit ACTORS are standing on the shoulders of titans with their brand of the style, and could almost be referred to as "post-post-punk". In a period where we narrowcast rather than broadcast so fans and new music-seekers can firmly plant themselves in a niche, Corbett takes swings at creating sounds and production techniques that one would not usually find in a starter package of cliché plugins and samples. Backed by a stoic yet playful backing band, the frontman shows an enthusiasm while performing and recording that often isn't seen or heard in his preferred genre. Often seen at festivals as one of the only acts with live instrumentation, the velocity created by having a live group of musicians brings back the listener to a time where players actually performed alongside one another in the studio, rather than being comped or programmed. Those who choose not to embrace and study history are often lazy repeaters, but an act like this knows where to cherry pluck from the past and where to build upon it.

The Bellwether Syndicate

The Bellwether Syndicate are a group of Chicago-based operatives of the sonic avant-garde, intent on speaking truth to power with a sharp tongue.

Fronted by veteran artist William Faith (of Faith and the Muse) and Sarah Rose (aka DJ Scary Lady Sarah), The Bellwether Syndicate are coloring outside of prescribed genre lines, choosing here to push the boundaries of style and substance into something relevant and vital.

Autumn

Forming in Minneapolis in 1994, autumn has always sought to create melodies that get the listener to feel something deeply, that have the ability to haunt you in some way after the fact.

Autumn had a busy 2018, releasing their latest full-length album, "chandelier," on Sett Records, on March 23 and touring with darksider legends, Clan of Xymox.

Grant Mayland

Chief Executioner at Dark Energy, a collective of DJs and musicians dedicated to promoting and playing the best in the darker side of dance music, past and present.